The Spine: Support System for Body

Parts of the Spine

The spine is composed of many parts that function together to allow you to move...and a whole lot of other things! Let’s focus on movement for now.

VERTEBRAE - The Bones of the Spine

The vertebrae are the bony segments of your spine. They are joined to each other throughout the spine by "articulations" that allow smooth movement between the bones. The round part of the vertebra is called the "body" and the pointy part to the back is the "spinous process."

Within each section, there are a number of bones named for their number in the segment: 7 cervical vertebrae (C1-C7), 12 thoracic vertebrae (T1-T12), 5 lumbar vertebrae (L1-L5), 1 sacrum made of 5 fused vertebrae, 1 coccyx made of 4 fused coccygeal vertebrae. The coccyx is the lowest point of the spine that bends when you sit down and acts like a shock absorber while you sit. It's also known more commonly as the tailbone.

FACET JOINTS

Facet joints connect the vertebrae of the spine and allow movement. One faces up and one faces down to connect with the adjacent vertebrae.

DISC

The intervertebral disc (or disc for short) acts like the shock absorber of the spine. There are cervical spine intervertebral discs, lumbar spine intervertebral discs, and thoracic spine intervertebral discs. It holds the bony vertebrae apart and gives space in the spinal canal for the spinal cord and its nerves to pass through on their way to the extremities of the body. Its center is the “nucleus pulposus” which is normally 80% water-filled. The outer part is the “annulus fibrosus” which is made of rubberband-like rings (annular fibers) which hold the nucleus in place.

SPINAL NERVES

Spinal nerves receive information from the disc and the facet joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The nerves interpret this information as to touch, pressure, temperature, and, if the nerves are excessively compressed or irritated, produce pain. The spinal nerves conduct messages from the body and send them to brain for interpretation, and the brain produces a response to irritation whether that be a response of comfort or pain.

"This information and website content is not intended to diagnose, guarantee results, or recommend specific treatment or activity. It is designed to educate and inform only. Please consult your physician for a thorough examination leading to a diagnosis and well-planned treatment strategy. See more details on the DISCLAIMER page."

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About Our Manahawkin chiropractic Practice

Our practice at Manahawkin Chiropractic Center focuses on chiropractic wellness as well as the easement of pain, particularly spine pain and its related conditions. We provide comprehensive care for back pain, neck pain, headaches, shoulder pain, arm pain, leg pain, and injuries to the body from a car accident, sports injury or other cause. Our chiropractic practice attentively serves the Manahawkin area. We pride ourselves on being patient-oriented and active to fulfilling your needs be they about insurance filing or appointment making or your health and healing. We offer customized treatment plans to accommodate your specific needs. If you're in need of a chiropractor in the Manahawkin area, contact us today!